Summer Safety Tips For Children

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital believes safety is an important part of fun. Here are a few summer safety tips for children:

Water safety

• According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1-4. Watch children when they are in or around water, without being distracted. Designate an adult as the water watcher on duty so you know who is in charge of watching the children swimming.
• Your child’s swimsuit color matters! Colors such as blue or green can blend in with water. Be sure to choose bright colored swimsuits and flotation safety items so it is easier to see your child in the water.
• Teach children that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Be aware of situations that are unique to open water, such as limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents and undertow.

Download your Water Watcher Card here!

Visit our Water Safety pages for more tips about keeping your children safe in the water.

Preventing injury and head trauma

• No matter what your child is riding, make sure they are wearing a properly fitted helmet.
• Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children under the age of 16 should not drive all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
• If a child under the age of 16 rides in an ATV, make sure they are wearing a helmet and other protective gear, such as goggles, gloves and long sleeves and pants.

Check out our Bike Helmet Safety page for great information about protecting your child's noggin!

Car seat safety

• Teach your child from a young age to buckle up every ride, every car, every time.
• A properly installed car seat should not move more than one inch when the base is tugged.
• There are many car seats on the market that are not certified. You can check by looking for the statement that confirms the car seat conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, basic instructions, date of manufacture and manufacturer/distributor’s name and contact information

Be sure to take a look at our Car Seat Safety page to make sure you have all the facts about keeping your child safe in the car!